Villanova basketball

The Villanova Wildcats head into the Final Four this week in preparation for their matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners. As a number two seed, the Sooners are one of the nation’s top teams. Head coach Lon Kruger has led his squad to a 29-7 record, despite having the fourth highest Strength of Schedule rating in the nation. Here are three keys for Villanova to have success against Oklahoma:

Force turnovers and convert on the other end

A big key to Villanova’s success will be forcing turnovers and converting those Oklahoma miscues into buckets on the other end. The Sooners have averaged 13 turnovers per game this season, and while that isn’t terrible, they haven’t always been so consistent. In all but one of their losses this season they were forced to double digit turnovers, including a 21 turnover performance (24 points were converted off of those turnovers) against West Virginia in the Big 12 Championship game. Buddy Hield, their star player, who averages 25 points per game, is also turnover prone. While leading the team in usage percentage with 30.5%, he averages a team high 3 turnovers per game. Earlier in the season, he even had 10 turnovers in a near loss to the Oklahoma State Cowboys. After fixing the problem for much of the latter part of the regular season, Hield has returned to those habits in the NCAA tournament by combining for 11 turnovers over the past two NCAA tournament games. The Villanova basketball team prides itself on defense. If they hadn’t, they would not be in the position they’re in right now and if they can’t force the Sooners into silly plays, and convert on the other end, the Wildcats could find themselves down early in the game. Instead, they need to control the game offensively and defensively.

Strong play from the Villanova backcourt

The Villanova backcourt is what powers them. Their starting off-guard, Josh Hart, is arguably Villanova’s top basketball player. On Saturday, it will start on the defensive end for the Wildcats. Hart will undoubtedly be matched up with Oklahoma star guard Buddy Hield if they play man-to-man defense. This will not be an easy task, as Hield is possibly the best scorer in the country, with a scoring average of 25 points per game. However, the most impressive feats are his shooting percentages, as he shoots 50% from the field, 46% from the three, and 88% from the line. However, Hart has the motor, athletic ability, and basketball IQ to be the one that shuts down the NCAA’s Stephen Curry. If he can’t, and Buddy continues his scoring barrage this tournament, it will be a real challenge for the Wildcats to keep up. But the other ‘Nova guards will also have their hands full, as talented guards Isaiah Cousins and Jordan Woodard are All-Big 12 players. Ryan Arcidiacono, Jalen Brunson, Phil Booth, and Mikal Bridges will have a lot of work to do, but if they want to win, they will have to slow down Cousins and Woodard as well as Hield.

The thing is though, Buddy Hield has only recorded one single digit point game this season. Obviously, the hope is for Josh Hart to completely shut down Hield, but the chances of this happening are not high. He needs to contain Hield, but then additionally come out on the offensive end ready to produce. He, along with the rest of the ‘Nova backcourt, will have to match the Oklahoma backcourt offensively. Daniel Ochefu, Kris Jenkins, and the rest of the Villanova big men should have some trouble, as they face one of the best defensive frontcourts in the nation. While starting forward Ryan Spangler has a defensive box plus/minus of 4.1 (second on the team for people who have played more than 200 minutes), 6-foot-9 forward Khadeem Lattin has a defensive box plus/minus of 9.2, which is fourth in the nation and has earned him a spot on the Big 12 All-Defensive Team. The Villanova frontcourt will need all of the help they can get, as the Wildcat big men will be more than likely slowed down.

Defend the 3-pointer

If the Wildcats want to win, it is no secret that this means they will need to contain the dynamic Sooner guards. However, this must start with limiting Oklahoma’s three pointers. Most people know that they are led by Hield, who shoots a gaudy 46% from three. That shouldn’t surprise many, as Hield averages 25 points per game. However, their other top two guards, Isaiah Cousins and Jordan Woodard shoot 42% and 46% from three, respectively. In five of their eight games against ranked teams in the regular season, Cousins and Woodard shot 40% or above in the wins. Hield similarly shot 40% or better in four of the eight games. In Oklahoma’s matchup against Villanova earlier in the season, all three of the star guards shot 40% or above from three.

Moreover, it’s the entire team that often lives by the three. Although they’ve found ways to win without the three ball, they average 25 three pointers per game. If they’re making their three’s, they are the best team in the country. The Wildcats need to pressure the perimeter shooters and force the ball inside or drive them into mid-range jump shots. While Oklahoma’s big men are solid, their guards are much more dangerous on the offensive end. However, defense is something that the Wildcats do well. But if they don’t do it well Saturday evening, they will find themselves heading home earlier than desired.